Question

how would eliminating the secondary consumers affect energy flow through this ecosystem over time? choose 1 answer: a energy flow would increase because the producer populations would increase to meet the needs of the rapidly growing primary consumer populations. b energy flow would decrease because the increased primary consumer populations would reduce the producer population. c energy flow would increase because the increased primary consumer populations would reduce the producer population. d energy flow would decrease because the producer populations would increase to meet the needs of the rapidly growing primary consumer populations.

Explanation:

When secondary consumers are eliminated, primary consumers have fewer predators. Their population grows. As primary consumers eat producers, a larger primary - consumer population will over - consume producers. Producers are the base of the energy flow in an ecosystem. With a reduced producer population, less energy is available to enter the ecosystem, thus decreasing energy flow.

Answer:

B. Energy flow would decrease because the increased primary consumer populations would reduce the producer population.